Reasons To List Your Home During The Holidays

​Have you thought about selling your home and before you knew it, it was December and the holiday season was in full swing? Not sure if selling during the holidays is a good idea? Are you thinking to wait until the spring to list your home instead? Below are a few of the reasons that I think selling during the holidays is not necessarily a negative and why it might be the right thing for you to do. 
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1. Less Competition

Traditionally people  would say that you should wait until the spring to list your home. After all, inventory normally picks up in the spring as the weather gets warmer. This can lead to price wars breaking out in coveted neighbourhoods. A home in a great area with a lot of potential buyers can sit on the market for just a few weeks or, in some cases, just a few days. But that doesn't mean people don't look—or buy—at other times of the year. In fact, there are plenty of homes listed around the holidays that may command more money, even if the inventory is limited. You may even be able to sell your home quicker than the ones listed in the spring. One reason is the lack of competition during the holidays. Many sellers don't want to list their houses just before or during the holidays—some don't want people tracking in snow or salt during each showing, while others just want to enjoy the holidays with their families. Whatever the reason, don't discount the holidays. Serious buyers won't have an endless list of homes from which to choose, so there's more time for them to focus on yours. As well, the limited range of options available to buyers means you may be able to command a higher asking price for your property. If you do your research, stage your home properly, and price it right, you could attract the perfect buyer and be on your way out the door into a brand new home that fits your needs better. 

2. Warm and Cozy

​The holidays are often a time when people gather around fireplaces, drink hot chocolate, and bake cakes, cookies, or other delicious deserts. Homeowners who put their houses up for sale during the winter months can stage their house to give off that comfy and homey feeling that appeals to a lot of buyers. Some people may argue that showing a house in the winter is hard to do because there’s snow on the ground, the house is drafty, and the curb appeal is lacking. Turning the heat up, having a yummy treat in the oven, keeping the sidewalk and driveway clear of snow and ice, and having outdoor décor can really boost a home’s appeal during the holidays season. Not to mention that buyers tend to be more emotional during the holidays and may be more likely to make decisions based on the feelings that a house conjures up.

3. End of The Year Work Transfers

 Another good reason is timing. The end of the year is typically the time when people get notified they will be moving because of a job transfer, or perhaps an offer comes through from another company that's just too good to pass up. Those people are going to need a home sooner rather than later and, as a result, they'll be hunting for a new home during the holidays. These buyers can’t wait for spring, which is one reason why listing during the holidays can get the home sold—and sold pretty quickly.

4. Buyers Have Time Off Work 

During the holidays, a lot of people have time off from work or their work slows down. This gives buyers more flexibility and time to take a look at your home. This means that viewings of your home wont only happen on the weekends and evenings but during the day or during normal 'working hours'.

5. Buyers Are More Serious

Most open houses take place during the spring and early summer. It isn't unusual to see people saunter into a property without a clear plan to buy. People often check out homes just for the sake of looking. After all, hitting open houses is a favorite pastime for many people. If your house is up for sale in the winter and someone is looking at it, chances are that person is serious and they are ready to buy a home. Anyone shopping for a new home in December and early in the new year is likely going to be a serious buyer—they aren’t going to spend their precious time around the holidays seeing how the other half lives. Putting your home on the market at this time of year and attracting a serious buyer can often result in a quicker sale.

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Are you think of selling your home this holiday season? Click the 'Lets Chat' below and lets sell your house!